VALE: Aussies pay tribute to heroic detective (93) and TV producer (91)
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When we think of true Australian heroes, we often picture sports stars, war veterans, or perhaps the odd bushranger with a heart of gold.
Yet, sometimes, these heroes could be the ones quietly working behind the scenes.
Today, Australia mourns for two figures who have shaped the country in their own right.
Former Victoria Police detective Denis Ryan was one such hero.
His unwavering determination to protect children changed countless lives to this day, even as it cost him dearly.
In the early 1970s, Detective Ryan was stationed in Mildura, a quiet town in north-west Victoria.
During his time in Mildura, he uncovered a web of abuse that involved Monsignor John Day, a Catholic priest now tagged as one of Australia's biggest child sex offenders.
Ryan's investigation began after he received multiple allegations from local children and their families.
Yet, instead of receiving support from his superiors, Detective Ryan was told to stop his investigation.
He was kicked out of the police force by 1972.
Monsignor Day remained a priest until his death in 1978, never facing justice for his crimes.
Detective Ryan, however, refused to back down despite being out of the police force.
For more than 40 years, he continued to fight for the victims of Monsignor Day, refusing to be silenced by threats or inducements.
He became a beacon of hope for survivors as he listened, believed, and validated their pain when no one else would.
Peter Hoysted, Ryan's friend and co-author of the memoir Unholy Trinity: The Hunt for Paedophile Priest Monsignor John Day, described him as 'the best man I have ever met'.
'No sanctimony, a wicked sense of humour and courage to burn,' Hoysted added.
Fast forward to 2016, more than four decades after the debacle, Victoria Police formally apologised and compensated Ryan.
By then, the damage had been done not just to Ryan but to the children suffering after the cases got ignored or covered up.
In 2015, Ryan told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that a 'Catholic mafia' within the police force actively thwarted his efforts to bring Monsignor Day to justice.
'He listened. It was important to be heard and believed because when we were younger, we didn't think anybody would believe it,' John Fitzgibbon, one of Day's victims, said.
'But it was always Denis who was there for you. He believed it because he had statements from us younger ones.'
For survivors, Ryan's belief in them was a lifeline.
Ryan's courage did not go unnoticed.
In 2018, he was named Australia Day Citizen of the Year by the Mildura Rural City Council.
Local councillor Ali Cupper shared that his story was 'one of international significance'.
'People like him were unfortunately in the minority for a very long time, but who shone a light on one of the darkest chapters of our history—the rampant sexual abuse of children by people whose job it was to protect them,' Councillor Cupper said.
His actions paved the way for the Royal Commission and the broader reckoning with institutional abuse in Australia.
Today, there are stronger protections for children and more robust mechanisms for reporting abuse.
Denis Ryan passed away in the said town. He was 93 years old.
Despite his passing, Ryan's legacy will live on for generations.
His story was not just one of bravery, but also a sobering reminder of the dark chapters in Australia's history and an individual's power to make a difference.
On the other hand, Australia also lost one of its true television pioneers.
Ian Crawford, a producer and director behind some of Australia's most beloved and influential shows, has passed away at 91.
Ian Crawford left behind a legacy that not only shaped the golden age of Aussie TV but also set the standard for generations of storytellers to come.
For many Aussies, Crawford Productions may conjure memories of gripping police dramas, sweeping family sagas, and homegrown entertainment that brought Aussies together around the telly.
Behind the scenes, it was Ian Crawford who helped turn these ideas into reality.
Born into a family already making waves in the entertainment industry, Ian was the son of Dorothy Muriel Turner Crawford and the nephew of media mogul Hector Crawford.
The Crawfords were already famous for their musical radio dramas.
Yet, as television dawned in Australia, they saw the writing on the wall and set out to master this new medium.
Ian joined the family's production business at 20 years old, right about when TVs were about to take off in Australia.
He juggled multiple jobs within the company—as a cameraman, delivery boy, script editor and script printer, and even became a rodeo boy!
This hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding of every aspect of production.
It did not take too long for Ian Crawford to step in as a director and a producer for several TV shows that would later on become household names.
For those who grew up in Australia in the 1960s, chances are they have watched one of Ian Crawford's works.
His producer credits read like a who's who of classic Aussie TV: The Sullivans, All The Rivers Run, Homicide, and Cop Shop were among some of the titles he worked in.
Adding to the list are Bluey (the police drama), Skyways, Carson's Law, The Flying Doctors, The Henderson Kids, and Zoo Family.
As a director, Ian also took charge of 125 episodes of Division 4, 41 episodes of Matlock Police, and 26 episodes of The Last of the Australians.
His steady hand and creative vision turned these series into staples of Australian television.
In 1980, Ian became the managing director of Crawford Productions.
He guided the company through a period of immense change and growth.
He and Hector eventually sold their shares in the late 1980s, but by then, the Crawford name was synonymous with excellence in Australian TV.
One of his friends and former colleague, Garry Hardman, remembered Crawford as the 'go-to' bloke for all things audio and video.
'Ian was the one who found the Homicide theme music, hidden away in the Crawfords' recorded music library,' Hardman recalled.
He was also a social soul, as he was present at every Crawford reunion or event unless specified.
Look back at one of Ian Crawford's works, The Sullivans, through this playlist:
Source: Australian Air League/YouTube
Ian Crawford's influence has gone beyond the credits.
He trained and mentored countless actors, writers, directors, and crew members, many of whom went on to have stellar careers today.
His commitment to quality, innovation, and storytelling helped put Australia's TV industry on the map.
For those who remember gathering around the television to watch the latest episode of The Sullivans or The Flying Doctors, Ian's work is woven into the fabric of many Aussies' lives.
He helped tell our stories, reflect our values, and entertain us through decades of change.
Our thoughts are with Denis Ryan and Ian Crawford's families during this challenging period.
May they both rest in peace.
Yet, sometimes, these heroes could be the ones quietly working behind the scenes.
Today, Australia mourns for two figures who have shaped the country in their own right.
Former Victoria Police detective Denis Ryan was one such hero.
His unwavering determination to protect children changed countless lives to this day, even as it cost him dearly.
In the early 1970s, Detective Ryan was stationed in Mildura, a quiet town in north-west Victoria.
During his time in Mildura, he uncovered a web of abuse that involved Monsignor John Day, a Catholic priest now tagged as one of Australia's biggest child sex offenders.
Ryan's investigation began after he received multiple allegations from local children and their families.
Former detective Denis Ryan uncovered a massive entanglement related to paedophilia during his time. Image Credit: Facebook/Herald Sun
Yet, instead of receiving support from his superiors, Detective Ryan was told to stop his investigation.
He was kicked out of the police force by 1972.
Monsignor Day remained a priest until his death in 1978, never facing justice for his crimes.
Detective Ryan, however, refused to back down despite being out of the police force.
For more than 40 years, he continued to fight for the victims of Monsignor Day, refusing to be silenced by threats or inducements.
He became a beacon of hope for survivors as he listened, believed, and validated their pain when no one else would.
Peter Hoysted, Ryan's friend and co-author of the memoir Unholy Trinity: The Hunt for Paedophile Priest Monsignor John Day, described him as 'the best man I have ever met'.
'No sanctimony, a wicked sense of humour and courage to burn,' Hoysted added.
Fast forward to 2016, more than four decades after the debacle, Victoria Police formally apologised and compensated Ryan.
By then, the damage had been done not just to Ryan but to the children suffering after the cases got ignored or covered up.
In 2015, Ryan told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that a 'Catholic mafia' within the police force actively thwarted his efforts to bring Monsignor Day to justice.
'He listened. It was important to be heard and believed because when we were younger, we didn't think anybody would believe it,' John Fitzgibbon, one of Day's victims, said.
'But it was always Denis who was there for you. He believed it because he had statements from us younger ones.'
For survivors, Ryan's belief in them was a lifeline.
Ryan's courage did not go unnoticed.
In 2018, he was named Australia Day Citizen of the Year by the Mildura Rural City Council.
Local councillor Ali Cupper shared that his story was 'one of international significance'.
'People like him were unfortunately in the minority for a very long time, but who shone a light on one of the darkest chapters of our history—the rampant sexual abuse of children by people whose job it was to protect them,' Councillor Cupper said.
His actions paved the way for the Royal Commission and the broader reckoning with institutional abuse in Australia.
Today, there are stronger protections for children and more robust mechanisms for reporting abuse.
Denis Ryan passed away in the said town. He was 93 years old.
Despite his passing, Ryan's legacy will live on for generations.
His story was not just one of bravery, but also a sobering reminder of the dark chapters in Australia's history and an individual's power to make a difference.
On the other hand, Australia also lost one of its true television pioneers.
Ian Crawford, a producer and director behind some of Australia's most beloved and influential shows, has passed away at 91.
Ian Crawford left behind a legacy that not only shaped the golden age of Aussie TV but also set the standard for generations of storytellers to come.
For many Aussies, Crawford Productions may conjure memories of gripping police dramas, sweeping family sagas, and homegrown entertainment that brought Aussies together around the telly.
Behind the scenes, it was Ian Crawford who helped turn these ideas into reality.
Ian Crawford was active in the entertainment industry for decades. Image Credit: TV Tonight
Born into a family already making waves in the entertainment industry, Ian was the son of Dorothy Muriel Turner Crawford and the nephew of media mogul Hector Crawford.
The Crawfords were already famous for their musical radio dramas.
Yet, as television dawned in Australia, they saw the writing on the wall and set out to master this new medium.
Ian joined the family's production business at 20 years old, right about when TVs were about to take off in Australia.
He juggled multiple jobs within the company—as a cameraman, delivery boy, script editor and script printer, and even became a rodeo boy!
This hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding of every aspect of production.
It did not take too long for Ian Crawford to step in as a director and a producer for several TV shows that would later on become household names.
For those who grew up in Australia in the 1960s, chances are they have watched one of Ian Crawford's works.
His producer credits read like a who's who of classic Aussie TV: The Sullivans, All The Rivers Run, Homicide, and Cop Shop were among some of the titles he worked in.
Adding to the list are Bluey (the police drama), Skyways, Carson's Law, The Flying Doctors, The Henderson Kids, and Zoo Family.
As a director, Ian also took charge of 125 episodes of Division 4, 41 episodes of Matlock Police, and 26 episodes of The Last of the Australians.
His steady hand and creative vision turned these series into staples of Australian television.
In 1980, Ian became the managing director of Crawford Productions.
He guided the company through a period of immense change and growth.
He and Hector eventually sold their shares in the late 1980s, but by then, the Crawford name was synonymous with excellence in Australian TV.
One of his friends and former colleague, Garry Hardman, remembered Crawford as the 'go-to' bloke for all things audio and video.
'Ian was the one who found the Homicide theme music, hidden away in the Crawfords' recorded music library,' Hardman recalled.
He was also a social soul, as he was present at every Crawford reunion or event unless specified.
Look back at one of Ian Crawford's works, The Sullivans, through this playlist:
Source: Australian Air League/YouTube
Ian Crawford's influence has gone beyond the credits.
He trained and mentored countless actors, writers, directors, and crew members, many of whom went on to have stellar careers today.
His commitment to quality, innovation, and storytelling helped put Australia's TV industry on the map.
For those who remember gathering around the television to watch the latest episode of The Sullivans or The Flying Doctors, Ian's work is woven into the fabric of many Aussies' lives.
He helped tell our stories, reflect our values, and entertain us through decades of change.
May they both rest in peace.
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Vale Ian 
Thanks for your wonderful achievements.
